Sandblasting and painting scheduled for Veterans Bridge

Veterans Bridge in Ottawa is going to be spruced up.  Starting Wednesday, crews will be working underneath the bridge, sandblasting and painting the bridge abutments.

While this is happening, the sidewalk on the west side of the bridge will be closed.  The work could take several weeks.

Tri County Fair continues in Mendota

After a rainy weekend, Monday should be perfect for the Tri-County Fair.  While activities include a carnival and fireworks for Sunday, the fair wraps up Monday.

Monday’s events include the farmer Olympics, a contest that will have you tossing hay and performing other farming tasks.  That’s at 12pm.  The baby show is at 1pm.  The demolition derby is at 4pm.

The fairgrounds are in Mendota.

Basketball tournament raises money for Hall Township Food Pantry

A three-on-three basketball tournament has helped to put food on tables in Bureau County.  Bradley University Student, Tyler Thompson of Spring Valley, has given the Hall Township Food Pantry $670 that was raised at the basketball tournament at Kirby Park last month.

The money was received by the pantry last week.  Jan Martin with the pantry says they are most grateful because they have more need than food.  Martin says Thompson’s donation was used to buy meat.

Isaac’s remnants bring tornadoes, rain to Illinois

CHICAGO (AP) – The National Weather Service says two tornadoes touched down in north-central Illinois as the remnants of Tropical Storm Isaac created severe thunderstorms.

Marshall County Sheriff’s Office spokesman Rockie Harber says the first tornado was spotted in a sparsely populated area south of Hopewell near the Illinois River.

A second tornado briefly touched down in western Marshall County. No damage was reported.

By midday Saturday, the storm had dumped up to five inches of rain in parts of the state.